A Reflection by New Fellow Reed Horton
On Saturday, September 12, 2015, the new Shucker Fellows traveled to UNC Charlotte, for our annual retreat. The new fellows were given the opportunity to participate in the ropes course that is on UNC’s campus. We arrived at the facility, and we participated in a multitude of team building, and trust exercises. From a blind folded maze, to stump hopping, to rope swinging. As teams or pairs, we had to work together to reach a common goal.
After each activity, we were asked a series of questions, most of which had to do with our strengths and weaknesses, or things we thought that we did well, and things that we thought we didn’t do as well. All of the smaller activities lead up to the bigger activity of the day: the High Ropes Course. I would just like to preface this story with the fact that I have a (not so) minor fear of heights. We had to divide up into groups of four, and somehow, we got a group with 3 people that are afraid of heights, and 1 person who enjoys heights. We started at the first level of the course, which was close to the ground. It was piece of cake. Once we got up to the second level of the course, the nerves started to get to me. At one point I glanced over to one of the other girls, and she had a look of utter panic on her face. I could tell that she was on the verge of a panic attack, so I took her hand and told her that it would all be okay. We got through the second level, and moved up to the third level. The third level was the most difficult because it was so high off the ground. We shuffled our way across the course and made it to the zip line!
The entire trip was a rollercoaster of emotions, but I had a blast. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend it with anyone else. The Shucker Fellows are my new family, and I can’t wait to see the adventures this organization takes me on!
- Reed Horton, Shucker New Fellow
A Reflection by New Fellow Caroline Daly
The Freshman Shucker Leadership Retreat was an absolute blast. For many of us new members, this retreat was our first chance to really get to know each other and connect. We got an early start on Saturday morning and drove to UNC Charlotte to spend a day on the ropes course there. We spent the morning on the low ropes course, learning the importance of communication, asking for help, and recognizing each other's strengths and weaknesses. We faced and overcame obstacles as a group, and each success brought us a little closer together.
By lunch, we were all comfortable with each other, laughing and sharing stories. We were ready for the next phase: the high ropes course. We each faced this experience with a different attitude. Some were bursting with excitement while others were shaking with nerves. We had to rely on people who were strangers at the beginning of the day to get across each obstacle in the sky, taking literal leaps of faith at times. Luckily, everyone made it to the end unscathed. We were each pushed past the limits of our comfort zones and felt closer than ever to those who encouraged and supported us each step of the way. By the end of the day, I had fallen in love with my Shucker family, and I am so excited to be able to spend the next two years growing and learning with them.
-Caroline Daly, Shucker New Fellow
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